Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Brut

Carneros district, Sonoma. $20, $14 Safeway

Golden, translucent color. Macintosh apples and pear on the nose. Medium body, fairly sweet for a 'brut.' Nice effervescence that doesn't overwhelm the subtle flavors. I enjoyed this wine more than the Chandon which I had a few nights ago. It won't "wow" anyone, but I'll purchase again and for the price it is a great go-to Sparkling wine.

Congrats to Zac for whipping out the first Bordeaux post (although I'm not sure if you even knew that was a Bordeaux)---glad you loved it! I believe it was made with grapes affected by the bacteria botrytis cinerea...which makes wines very sweet (and amazing.) You should look more into these types of wines, but they get extremely expensive (Sauternès is the big one.)

Espiral - Vinho Verde

I initially had my heart set on a Casillero del Diablo as recommended by Tim, but I ended up just about as far off the mark as possible. While I did purchase the Casillero Del Diablo, a Chilean carmenere, I was coerced into a bottle of $3.99 Fizzy White, known as the Vihno Verde brought to us by the infamous Trader Joe. I promised a write up, so here goes...

This light bodied white from Portugal pours a very pale yellow, almost like strong lemon water. The pour reveals a slight effervescence, which is even more apparent on the first sip. The aroma reminds me of a a crisp green apple savignon blanc that has been watered down. The carbonation helps to liven up the sweetness of the green apple while downplaying the tartness that is so often found in a savignon blanc. The flavor is crisp and light, just like a fresh granny smith, while the bubbles leave your palate feeling clean and refreshed. There is very little lingering taste.

This wine is nice for light hearted sipping on a hot day. While it may not be the most complex or challenging wine, for $3.99 its great Yellow Tail or generic critter wine alternative. This would be a good bottle for large parties of undiscriminating wine drinkers or for that girl who just needs a litte convincing.

Saint-Croix-du Mont, Château La Rame 1998

Dessert Wine

A light golden color, with a fruity aroma that I was not able to place. I was in love at first sip. It lightly hit my tongue, with a medium weight. And it had a wet texture, I'm not sure how to describe it, but it is opposite of a sec red. It kinda bounced in your mouth. After swallowed, it left very little after taste, which I felt for a stand alone dessert wine it leaves something to be desired. But I paired it with my favorite dessert Creme Brulee and it was a great match. Where relatively little after taste and sweet flavor complemented well with the dessert
4/5 Fleur de Lis

In short a great compliment to a sweet dessert, not a bitter dessert such as a dark chocolate or tiramisu, but not strong enough to be a lone dessert

Chandon Reserve Brut

Sparkling Wine, Napa & Sonoma, $18 BevMo

71%PN, 27% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Meunier

Beautiful golden color, fairly strong effervescence. Not a very strong aroma (I think I have a tough time smelling sparkling wines.)

Very luscious, cream soda comes to mind. Finishes with a bit of fig newton/graham cracker.
It's a wine that makes me wonder why I don't drink sparkling wines more often and luckily I'm by myself so I don't need to share it.

Pascual Toso Malbec

06, Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina

Color: dark red, maroon
Aroma: fruity, plum, bleu cheese?
Body: medium, quaffable
Finish: very smooth
Overall: delicious, definite repurchase, complex

Domaine Roger Perrin, Cuvée Prestige

05, Vielles Vignes, Côtes du Rhône

color: Very dark red, almost black
aroma: cracked pepper, fig, smoky
body: full body, harsh, heavy
finish: could use some time, very tannic
overall: needs refinement. possibly would've been better if I decanted it and let it breathe for a bit.